Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 5) — The presidential bid of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may gain backing from President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters after his longtime aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go decided to withdraw from the race.

“Ang pinaka-value ng endorsement ni Duterte at this point ay ‘yung pondo. Maaaring ‘yung political base niya ay parang nahigop na ni Bongbong Marcos,” he said during a radio interview.

[Translation: The most valuable (part) of Duterte’s endorsement at this point is the funding. It’s possible that his political base may have already been absorbed by Bongbong Marcos.]

Last month, Duterte endorsed Go and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for the 2022 elections, according to DIWA party-list Rep. Michael Aglipay. The President’s daughter is the running mate of Marcos.

But on Nov. 30, Go said he would no longer pursue his presidential bid. The senator was supposed to vie for the vice presidency under a wing of the ruling party PDP-Laban.

READ: PDP-Laban exec ‘praying for miracle’ that Bong Go will take back withdrawal